Dean Shiels scored a late penalty to rescue a 1-1 draw for Doncaster against Ipswich at Portman Road.
Drab draw at Portman Road
Dean Shiels scored a late penalty to rescue a 1-1 draw for Doncaster against Ipswich at Portman Road.
In a low-key end-of-season encounter, there was little goalmouth action until Connor Wickham broke the deadlock with 18 minutes remaining.
But Ipswich could not cling on for all three points as Shiels converted a spot-kick he had earned in the 83rd minute.
With both sides facing the prospect of a mid-table finish in this dead rubber, a classic was never on the cards and it was a quiet start.
It was perhaps Doncaster that looked the more threatening with Arsenal loanee Jay Emmanuel-Thomas looking dangerous, though they were restricted to long-range efforts, with Gareth Roberts seeing his low effort well held by Brian Murphy.
Sean O'Driscoll's men could not build on their momentum, though, and although they controlled possession they failed to test Murphy again.
Ipswich offered very little as an attacking force in a stale first-half showing, with Wickham's turn and shot that went over the bar the only moment of note for them.
The half-time whistle could not come soon enough for the supporters at a sun-drenched Portman Road but the start of the second period was not much better viewing as both sides again were off the pace.
Stirred
Eventually Ipswich stirred, beginning to play with purpose and Wickham missed a golden chance break the deadlock, but he headed wide from six yards out, though his blushes were spared by the linesman, who raised his flag in any case.
But the Ipswich momentum continued and they took the lead in the 72nd minute through Wickham with what was a real opportunist's finish.
The Doncaster defence dawdled on the ball, wasting the opportunity to clear and Wickham sneaked in to take possession before finishing coolly past Neil Sullivan.
It was a goal Wickham had deserved for his endeavour and was his fifth of the season.
But Ipswich's lead lasted just 11 minutes as Rovers equalised from the penalty spot after O'Connor had shoved Shiels and the Doncaster striker sent Murphy the wrong way from the spot.
Neither side had enough in them to go on and find a winner as Ipswich registered a club record 19th league draw of the season.
